As a garden lover, before saying yes to my travel plans, the first thing that comes to mind is, what about the plants? No one likes a garden with wilted flowers, scorched leaves, and discoloured stems. Fortunately, there are a few things that you can do for your plants to make sure that you return to as fresh a garden as you left it. While I am figuring it out, let me help you in the search for watering plants on vacation with a few tips to tick off before we leave, without any worries. At Urvann, we want you to be careful and a bit creative with the greens in your garden. And, it's time to ensure that they go in the right direction.
How to water plants when on vacation?
Watering is one of the favourite steps for all gardeners. It leaves the garden looking fresh and alive, but what about the days when you’re not there to care? This is probably one of the biggest concerns for all home gardeners. No one among us wants to return to a garden with dry soil and dead plants. And, believe it or not, it's like waking up to a nightmare for every plant parent. Here are some ways you can make sure that your plant is well watered or the soil stays moist as per the requirements.
1. Make use of technology
You can install a sprinkler or a drip irrigation system, which can be automated by the users at certain times of the day to ensure the plants receive the water they need.
2. Cotton cloth stripes:
Take any old cotton fabric and cut long strips from it. Dip one end of the strip into a bucket of water and the other end about 3 to 4 inches deep in the soil. The process will follow with the cotton strip absorbing water due to capillary action. You can also place the bucket on the higher surface to ensure perfect flow. Now, what? Plan your one-month trip easily without worrying much about your favourite green kid.
3. Use a DIY technique:
Now, you must’ve come across this technique very often on social media. The trick is to prepare a watering system with the help of a plastic bottle. In this simple process, you have to pin several holes on the neck of the bottle, fill it with water, flip it upside down, place it in the soil, and there! Your plant stays hydrated for a week or so.
4. Tub Remedy for Houseplants:
For houseplants like snake plants, money plants, etc, you can use this method. First, block the drainage hole of the bathtub and fill it with water. Place towels on top of the water. The next step is to bring houseplants and place them on the towel. Their soil will absorb moisture through the known process of evaporation and will stay moist.
Some Other Steps to Ensure a Healthy Garden While You’re Outside
Mulch the pots
As your fellow gardener, mulching is our favourite step, too. If you are just a beginner, then let us tell you that Mulch is formed of dried leaves and plant parts, which helps you retain enough moisture to suit the plant’s needs. You can spread a layer of mulch around the plants that require frequent watering. Apart from keeping your plant thriving even when you are away, mulching helps the plant in the following ways.
Benefits of Mulching
1. Prevention of soil erosion
In the hot and extremely dry summers, mulching can add an extra layer of moisture to the soil, helping it to absorb the required water from it. It also prevents direct sunlight from reaching the soil, so it loses less water over time.
2. Helps soil regulate a certain amount of temperature
Mulching is a layer added on top of the soil. This extra layer helps regulate the temperature for the roots of the plants. In scorching summer heat, it keeps the temperature down, and in the winter season, it keeps it warm.
3. Reduces weeds
Mulching helps prevent the growth of weeds, which are also some form of green that needs sunlight and all nutrients present in the soil to thrive. A layer of mulch will block harmful weeds from even thinking of growing, adding to the benefit of your plant.
Ask Someone to Care on Your Behalf
Sometimes, the best thing that we can do is ask for help from someone we trust - a neighbour, a friend, or someone from your family. If you are travelling for a longer period, remember to ask them to check up on your plant every once in a while. The other best thing you can do is to instruct about the requirements of the plant. It can involve facts like tilting the soil to facilitate proper aeration.
Take some time out of your busy schedule to prepare a detailed checklist for the person you called for gardening. This care checklist might include instructions like where the tool kit is, how much water certain plants need, and a few things about pruning the plant.
You can also be a bit creative and place the plants of the same requirement together. This will avoid any confusion on part of the person taking care on your behalf.
Ensure that your plants are healthy and safe
Always remember to prune or deadhead the plants to have neat scenery when you return. This is one of the important steps, as you can trim away the cause that can disrupt the growth of the plant. This way you can also give a good shape to that bushy plant which may turn wild upon your return.
Prepare a Greenhouse
In this method, you place a shield over your plant protecting them from external factors. For this, use any wooden stakes that you can easily find in your garden. Bury the ends of those stakes into the soil and place a plastic bag on top. It acts as a temporary barrier, working to protect your plants against scorching sunlight.
If you have vegetable plants like chilli, tomato etc, then this point is important for you. It is advised to harvest any ripe fruits, vegetables, or herbs to prevent any pest attack when you come back, or they’ll not be left rotting on the vine all through the period you are gone.
For Indoor Plants
The above-mentioned precautions well suited for outside greens, but what about indoors? If we take a look at our indoor garden, even though a bunch of hardy plants sit in the perfect corners of the room, they still need care. You can use the towel wet method (the same we mentioned above) to maintain adequate humidity, or make a zen corner with all of them together to make it easier for your neighbour or friend to take care of them.
Conclusion
We at Urvann hope that our plant enthusiast friend gets to enjoy the holiday season with family and friends as they get to enjoy the routines with their garden. In this blog, we have taken a step in the right direction to take care of the home garden in our absence. Now, a little preparation ahead can save a little plant’s life, carrying on the ecosystem like always. From how to water plants while away for 2 weeks to asking someone for help, we mentioned the best possible steps you can take. This article is in response to a query one of our customers had. You can also share your thoughts or questions about gardening, so we can spread knowledge and love for greens.
Frequently Asked Questions about How to Prep Your Garden for Vacation
What are the measures I can take to care for my garden while away for 2 weeks?
Some of the easiest ways to take care of your garden while you’re away is by preparing a self watering system for your planters. For this, you can take a plastic bottle and drill some holes in the neck of the bottle. The next step is to fill the bottle and then place it upside down. You can now leave the plants enjoying their own element while you’re away.
What kind of plants like self watering? Give some examples.
You can choose the plants on the basis of water requirements. While some plants like cacti do not need it, other plants like peace lily, pothos, and vegetables like mint and chilli might love this extra care as moisture-loving plants.
What are the ways in which I can save my plant without watering?
While you can always choose a drip irrigation system or DIY methods to water your plants even when you’re away, there are ways you can save your plants without water. If you are out for about 3 to 4 days, keep the plants away from direct sunlight and place them in a shaded area. Another option is to add mulch, which helps the soil in moisture retention.
Can I recover my plants from underwatering?
Yes, it is possible to revive a plant from the condition of underwatering. You can identify the problem when, even after placing the plant in adequate sunlight, the plant appears dry. In this case, simply put the plant away from direct sunlight and scratch its bark. Now, tilt the soil from time to time and water it carefully. You can read this blog for more information on reviving a dying plant.
Where can I get the best gardening tips?
As a beginner, it is very important to have someone to guide you through this exciting yet an activity full of learning. Urvann India is the best place to learn all the gardening-related stuff. Here, you will be provided with listicles and care guides so that you can get updates on trending varieties and how to care for them.
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